U.S. patent application number 13/338116 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-28 for resettable circulation tool.
Invention is credited to David William Blacklaw, Richard Dennis Bottos.
Application Number | 20120160568 13/338116 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46315312 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120160568 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bottos; Richard Dennis ; et
al. |
June 28, 2012 |
RESETTABLE CIRCULATION TOOL
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to an abrasive jet
drilling assembly. In one aspect, a resettable circulation tool for
use in an abrasive jet drilling assembly is provided. The
resettable circulation tool includes an inner body having a first
port in fluid communication with a bore. The resettable circulation
tool further includes an outer body having a second port.
Additionally, the resettable circulation tool includes a cam member
configured to move along one or more slots, wherein the bodies move
relative to each other to selectively align and misalign the first
port and the second port as the cam member moves along the slots.
In another aspect, a method of using a resettable circulation tool
disposed in an abrasive jet drilling assembly includes moving the
first and second ports into and out of alignment.
Inventors: |
Bottos; Richard Dennis;
(Hockley, TX) ; Blacklaw; David William; (Katy,
TX) |
Family ID: |
46315312 |
Appl. No.: |
13/338116 |
Filed: |
December 27, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61427549 |
Dec 28, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
175/67 ;
175/424 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 7/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
175/67 ;
175/424 |
International
Class: |
E21B 7/18 20060101
E21B007/18 |
Claims
1. A resettable circulation tool for use in an abrasive jet
drilling assembly, the tool comprising: an inner body having a
first port in fluid communication with a bore; an outer body having
a second port; and a cam member configured to move along one or
more slots, wherein the bodies move relative to each other to
selectively align and misalign the first port and the second port
as the cam member moves along the slots.
2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the slots include a first slot
along which the cam member moves to move the bodies relative to
each other to a position where the first and second ports are in
alignment.
3. The tool of claim 2, wherein the slots include a second slot
along which the cam member moves to move the bodies relative to
each other to a position where the first and second ports are not
in alignment.
4. The tool of claim 3, wherein the first slot has a length that is
longer than a length of the second slot.
5. The tool of claim 4, wherein the first and second slots are
disposed axially along the inner surface of the outer body or along
the outer surface of the inner body, and wherein the cam is movable
between the first and second slots by relative rotation between the
inner body and the outer body.
6. The tool of claim 1, wherein the slots are disposed axially and
circumferentially along the inner surface of the outer body or
along the outer surface of the inner body.
7. The tool of claim 1, wherein the inner body is axially movable
relative to the outer body as the cam member moves along the
slots.
8. The tool of claim 1, wherein the inner body is rotatable
relative to the outer body as the cam member moves along the
slots.
9. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a shear pin coupled to
the inner body and the outer body to provide a minimum operating
force prior to operation.
10. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a collar coupled to the
inner body for engagement with the outer body.
11. A method of using a resettable circulation tool disposed in an
abrasive jet drilling assembly, the method comprising: positioning
a jetting drill device in the abrasive jet drilling assembly into
contact with a portion of a wellbore; applying a first axial force
and a first rotational force on the abrasive jet drilling assembly,
thereby causing a first port and a second port in the resettable
circulation tool to align; pumping fluid through the first and
second ports of the resettable circulation tool; applying a second
axial force and a second rotational force on the abrasive jet
drilling assembly, thereby causing the first port and the second
port to misalign; and pumping fluid through the resettable
circulation tool and into the jetting drill device.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising moving a cam member
along a first slot to move the first port and the second port into
alignment.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising moving the cam
member along a second slot to move the first port and the second
port out of alignment.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first slot has a length
that is longer than a length of the second slot.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the first and second slots are
disposed axially along an inner body or along an outer body of the
resettable circulation tool, and wherein the cam is movable between
the first and second slots by relative rotation between the inner
body and the outer body.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the first and second slots are
disposed axially and circumferentially along a body of the
resettable circulation tool.
17. The method of claim 11, further comprising pumping
substantially all of the fluid through the resettable circulation
tool and into the jetting drill device when the first and second
ports are misaligned.
18. The method of claim 11, further comprising pumping
substantially all of the fluid through the first and second ports
when aligned.
19. The method of claim 11, further comprising shearing a shear pin
of the resettable circulation tool to provide a minimum operating
force prior to operation.
20. The method of claim 11, further comprising draining fluid from
the abrasive jet drilling assembly through the first and second
ports when in alignment.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/427,549, filed Dec. 28, 2010, the contents of
which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an
abrasive jet drilling assembly. More particularly, embodiments of
the present invention relate to a resettable circulation tool for
use in the abrasive jet drilling assembly.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In the oil and gas industry, a wellbore may be formed by
using an abrasive jet drilling assembly. The abrasive jet drilling
assembly typically includes a jetting drill device disposed on a
drill string. The jetting drill device ejects a high velocity
stream of drilling fluid which includes abrasive particles. The
high velocity stream of drilling fluid erodes the rock adjacent the
jetting drill device to form the wellbore. If the abrasive jet
drilling assembly encounters a gas cake (e.g. gas pocket) while
forming the wellbore, it is oftentimes necessary to circulate back
through a circulation port of a circulation tool. There are
circulation tools commercially available that enable a downhole
circulation port to be opened from the surface. Current designs of
such circulation tools are limited in their number of operation and
function by dropping a ball, shearing a pin, or other method that
precludes utilizing the circulating function for another event.
Many tools function by dropping a ball or plug that impedes further
flow as the circulation function is not reversible or resettable.
Additionally, these circulation tools stay open without the ability
to utilize the flow through the body of the circulation tool as per
the initial (pre-deployed) condition. Therefore, there is a need
for a resettable circulation tool for use in the abrasive jet
drilling assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention generally relate to an abrasive jet
drilling assembly. In one aspect, a resettable circulation tool for
use in an abrasive jet drilling assembly includes an inner body
having a first port in fluid communication with a bore; an outer
body having a second port; and a cam member configured to move
along one or more slots, wherein the bodies move relative to each
other to selectively align and misalign the first port and the
second port as the cam member moves along the slots.
[0007] In another aspect, a resettable circulation tool for use in
an abrasive jet drilling assembly is provided. The resettable
circulation tool includes an inner body having a first port in
fluid communication with a bore. The resettable circulation tool
further includes an outer body having slots formed on an inner
surface, wherein the outer body includes a second port.
Additionally, the resettable circulation tool includes a cam member
configured to move along the slots of the outer body, wherein the
bodies move relative to each other to selectively align and
misalign the first port and the second port as the cam member moves
along the slots.
[0008] In another aspect, a method of using a resettable
circulation tool disposed in an abrasive jet drilling assembly is
provided. The method includes the step of positioning a jetting
drill device in the abrasive jet drilling assembly into contact
with a portion of a wellbore. The method further includes the step
of applying a first axial force and a first rotational force on the
drilling assembly, thereby causing a first port and a second port
in the resettable circulation tool to align. The method also
includes the step of pumping fluid through the ports of the
resettable circulation tool. The method further includes the step
of applying a second axial force and a second rotational force on
the drilling assembly, thereby causing the first port and the
second port to misalign. Additionally, the method includes the step
of pumping fluid through the resettable circulation tool and into
the jetting drill device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] So that the manner in which the above recited features of
the present invention can be understood in detail, a more
particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above,
may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are
illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however,
that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of
this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of
its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective
embodiments.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a resettable circulation tool
in an abrasive jet drilling assembly.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-section view illustrating the resettable
circulation tool in the abrasive jet drilling assembly.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-section view illustrating the resettable
circulation tool.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The present invention generally relates to a resettable
circulation tool for use in the abrasive jet drilling assembly. To
better understand the novelty of the resettable circulation tool of
the present invention and the methods of use thereof, reference is
hereafter made to the accompanying drawings.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a resettable circulation tool
100 in an abrasive jet drilling assembly 200. Generally, the
abrasive jet drilling assembly 200 is used to form a wellbore by
ejecting a high velocity stream of drilling fluid which includes
abrasive particles. The abrasive jet drilling assembly 200 includes
a jetting drill device 205 for ejecting the high velocity stream of
drilling fluid. The abrasive jet drilling assembly 200 is connected
to a drill string (not shown). The abrasive jet drilling assembly
200 further includes the resettable circulation tool 100.
[0015] The resettable circulation tool 100 includes a plurality of
circulation ports 105 that may be selectively opened during the
drilling operation to circulate drilling fluid out of the drill
string and then closed. The resettable circulation tool 100 could
be operated multiple times during the drilling operation. The
resettable circulation tool 100 is normally closed, and may
optionally be provided with a shear pin safety system to prevent
unwanted operation. The resettable circulation tool 100 is movable
between a closed position (normal operation) and an opened
position. In the opened position, fluid is circulated out from the
resettable circulation tool 100 above the device 205 to eliminate a
shot column. To move the resettable circulation tool 100 to the
opened position from the closed position, a downward motion will
allow the resettable circulation tool 100 to open and allow
circulation, and remain in this position until a similar downward
motion is utilized to close the resettable circulation tool 100 and
resume the drilling operation. The resettable circulation tool 100
can be operated as often as required to accomplish the desired
objectives during the drilling operation.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross-section view illustrating the resettable
circulation tool 100 in the abrasive jet drilling assembly 200. As
shown, a bore 210 of the jetting drill device 205 is in fluid
communication with a bore 110 of the resettable circulation tool
100. During the drilling operation, drill fluid is pumped through
the drill string through the bores 110, 210 and then out of the
jetting drill device 205. The drill fluid includes abrasive
particles that are configured to erode the rock to form the
wellbore. The resettable circulation tool 100 in the closed
position (e.g. normal operation) allows all of the drill fluid to
flow though the bore 110 of the resettable circulation tool 100.
The resettable circulation tool 100 in the opened position allows
substantially all of the drill fluid to flow though the circulation
ports 105 of the resettable circulation tool 100.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-section view illustrating the resettable
circulation tool 100. The resettable circulation tool 100 generally
includes an inner sub 130 and an outer sub 125. Each sub 125, 130
has the requisite connection member, such as a threaded connection,
that is required to be placed above the jetting drill device 205,
and allows the subs 125, 130 to be an extension of the jetting
drill device 205. The inner sub 130 has the sector control profile,
such as slots, that allows the "ratcheting" function of the sub's
operation. As set forth herein, cams 140 are installed into the
outer sub 125 to provide the control of the ports 105 to either the
opened position or the closed position. In one embodiment, there
are three sets of cams 140 and profiles to allow strength to
support the resettable circulation tool 100 function. In addition,
there may also be a lock collar 160 that adds additional shear
strength in tension operations. The outer sub 125 may optionally
include shear pins with total WOB (Weight on Bit) loads from 9,500
lbs. to 20,000 lbs. to actuate the circulation function of the
resettable circulation tool 100 for the first time.
[0018] The resettable circulation tool 100 is generally a
two-position tool, which can be cycled from the closed position to
the opened position and back again to the closed position any
number of times. The resettable circulation tool 100 is cycled by a
downward direction force, arrow 165, with slight rotation in a
first direction. In one embodiment, the first direction is toward
the right. Re-pressurization (e.g. by restoring flow) pumps open
the tool and open the circulating ports 105 of the resettable
circulation tool 100. In the event that this action needs to be
reversed (e.g. moved to the closed position), the downward force
165 is once again applied with slight rotation in the first
direction, and re-pressurizing to pump, the circulation ports 105
are closed.
[0019] The resettable circulation tool 100 allows numerous cycles
from opened position to closed position as required during the
drilling operation. In addition, there is no obstruction to flow in
the bore 110 of the resettable circulation tool 100 as compared to
current designs of circulation tools which require a ball or a plug
to operate. Further, there are minimum maintenance requirements in
the resettable circulation tool 100 other than grease flush during
cleaning. In one embodiment, shear pins may be included to ensure a
minimum operating force (e.g. downward force 165) prior to
operation; however this feature would be single use only.
[0020] The resettable circulation tool 100 is installed in-line
with the jetting drill device 205 (see FIG. 2), with appropriate
connections and crossovers as required. The inlet 170 is the fluid
inlet for the resettable circulation tool 100 and directly provides
a flow path to the jetting drill device 205 through a crossover at
the bottom. The only other flow ports are ports 105, 155.
[0021] During the operation of the resettable circulation tool 100,
the flow ports 105 are either closed or open. The resettable
circulation tool 100 is operated by pressure acting as a spring and
forcing the outer sub 125 to travel downward and stop. In one
embodiment, low pressure operation of around 100 to 300 PSI is
used.
[0022] The resettable circulation tool 100 includes cam 140 which
drives the outer sub 125 through the slots 145 that control the
positioning of the outer sub 125 relative to the inner sub 130. In
one embodiment, the slots 145 extend circumferentially around the
inner sub 130 and axially along a substantial length thereof. In
one embodiment, the slots 145 extend circumferentially around the
outer sub 125 and axially along a substantial length thereof. The
slots 145 include guides and shoulders (not shown) that are used to
direct the cam 140 along a slot pathway. The slots 145 may include
a plurality of longer length slots and a plurality of shorter
length slots. In one embodiment, a shear pin 135 may be utilized to
prevent the movement of the cam 140 in the slots 140 unless
sufficient force, such as 10,000 lbs. to 35,000 lbs., is applied
downward.
[0023] The slots 145 have been arranged to have the resettable
circulation tool 100 function with applied downward force (e.g.
165), but the resettable circulation tool 100 is recommended to
have right-hand torque when setting down. The slots 145 provide up
and down function but will resist rotating the outer sub 125
relative to the inner sub 120. The slots 145 provide different slot
lengths for open or closed positions. The open position is longer,
providing the additional length to open the flow ports 105, 155 to
the bore 110. In one embodiment, the slot configuration has three
dual function segments in the cam surfaces.
[0024] In the closed position as shown in FIG. 3, flow cannot exit
the resettable circulation tool 100, and the flow is directed into
the jetting drill device 205. If outboard circulation is desired,
the force 165 (e.g. WOB) is applied with a slight torque in the
first direction. In turn, the cam 140 is reset into a longer length
slot of the slots 145, so that when the pressure is applied to the
resettable circulation tool 100, it will cycle to the opening of
the flow ports 105. The resultant area is 6 times the nozzle area
with a corresponding pressure drop. In other words, to move the
resettable circulation tool 100 to the opened position, the
resettable circulation tool 100 is cycled by a downward direction
force, arrow 165, with slight rotation in a first direction, which
causes the cam 140 to move along the guides of the slots 145 and
stop at one of the shoulders. At this point, the inner port 155 of
the inner sub 120 is aligned with the outer port 105 of the outer
sub 125, and fluid is allowed to exit the resettable circulation
tool 100.
[0025] To move the resettable circulation tool 100 from the opened
position to the closed position, substantially the same set down
force 165 (e.g. WOB) is applied with a torque in the first
direction which allows the outer sub 125 to rotate to a shorter
length slot in the slots 145, and when pressurized, the resettable
circulation tool 100 will cycle to the closed position with the
flow ports 105 closed again. In other words the inner port 155 of
the inner sub 120 is misaligned with the outer port 105 of the
outer sub 125, and fluid is prevented from exiting the resettable
circulation tool 100. Repetition of the same downward action will
reset the resettable circulation tool 100 to either the closed or
open position as desired. The resettable circulation tool 100
alternatively either opens or closes during activation.
[0026] The resettable circulation tool 100 includes a first seal
115 and a second seal 120 between the inner sub 120 and the outer
sub 125. The seals 115, 120 are configured to prevent the leakage
of fluid between the subs 120, 125. The seals 115, 120 also seal
ports 105, 155 and provide the necessary seal and backup for 10,000
PSI operation for multiple cycles.
[0027] In another embodiment, the threaded collar 160 may be used
for tensile strength. Specifically, the threaded collar 160 is used
at the bottom of the inner sub 120 to retain the integrity of the
resettable circulation tool 100 if the cams malfunction.
[0028] In addition to circulating fluid, the resettable circulation
tool 100 may be used to allow for drill string drainage (after shot
is circulated out) and subsequent (dry string) to aid in drill
string servicing when coming out of the hole. This is enabled by
opening the ports 105 in a similar manner, as described herein, for
drainage of the drill string.
[0029] The resettable circulation tool 100 may be furnished as a
custom tool to match the threaded connections of the jetting drill
device 205 and the desired upper connection, as well as larger
sizes of jetting drill devices.
[0030] The simplicity and ease of maintenance of the resettable
circulation tool 100 are maintained by removing the threaded collar
160 and the three cam pins 140. Larger resettable circulation tools
may have more cam pins. Once removal of the cam pins 140 has been
accomplished, the inner sub 120 is removed from the outer sub 125
for cleaning and seal replacement.
[0031] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the
present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention
may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and
the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
* * * * *